Do you think you could go a whole year without buying any new clothes, shoes or accessories?

If you had asked me five years ago, I would have said that I didn’t think I would be able to do it. If you had asked me ten years ago, I probably would have scoffed in your face and said something trite like “Clothes are my LIFE!” I have always loved clothes and fashion

So, in 2020 I have committed to buy no new clothes, shoes or accessories.

My best friend did this with her mother roughly five years ago, and we’re doing it as a small group this year. Four of us have our own little Facebook group, with some stringently administered rules for the Wardrobe Pause.

Rules of engagement:

Participants will abstain from the purchase of any new clothes, shoes, jewellery and accessories (articles) for a 12 month period – effective from 12:01am January first 2020 to 12:00pm December 31 2020.

Purchase of second hand articles from thirft stores, op shops, charity stores, Gum Tree and ebay are allowed in moderation – noting that purchase for the sake of purchase is contrary to the point of the undertaking.

Where articles are purchased in direct contravention to this, the amount will be recorded and at the end of the freeze will be payable to a fashion related, humanitarian or environmental charity of the group’s choosing.

Where possible, broken or damaged clothes should be mended, either professionally or by hand.

Taking stock of what you own before commencing on the Wardrobe Pause is strongly encouraged, as this will give you a better understanding of what you actually have to work with.

Exemptions:

Where you are lucky enough to be travelling overseas, you are permitted to purchase one new item per country that you visit. All items must be purchased in the country that they account for (no saving them up)

You may nominate one ‘Grail’ item for which you are grated total immunity and are allowed to purchase once.

Underwear, socks and hosiery are exempt from the Wardrobe Pause – but must only be purchased as a necessity – not frivolously

Now I would love to be able to tell you that it is actually surprisingly easy, or that I don’t miss buying new clothes… But I can’t. Because it isn’t, and I do.

I am a creature of a consumerist society and I have basically put myself on a diet. I miss buying clothes, and I am spending an inordinate amount of time on ebay and etsy looking at second hand clothes to scratch that particular itch. I don’t even really need anything new for my wardrobe, I think I actually just miss spending money.

Like a drug addict jonesing for their next hit – all I seem to be thinking about at the moment is buying clothes and spending money.

So, this is me, 44 days into 365. I don’t really know how the rest of the year is going to go, but I am excited to see how this impacts on my understanding of my own personal style. I will be keeping you updated as the year goes along – and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.